firearm dilemna

B

bryant R

Joined
May 29, 2011
Messages
171
im about to get a 22 for squirrel hunting that ive been lusting over for a long time but i keep having doubts so which would be better for squirrel hunting the 22 or a 20 gauge single shot
 
Depends. If I were trying to feed a family I would go for the shotgun. Since I hunt squirrels mainly for sport, I like the .22, and I always go for head shots. That way, a hit is a kill, and a miss is a miss. Next to no chance of a wounding shot that leaves him in misery. I have a nice bolt action .22 that puts all its shots in the size of a quarter at 50 yds, which is accurate enough for squirrel hunting. A nice scope helps too. I like the Sweet 22 scope a lot also. But if you are more interested in taking squirrels home to eat than in the challenge -- and there is nothing wrong with that! -- then the 20 gauge might be your best be.

You might get a lot more use out of the .22 -- they are a lot of fun for a lot of shooting besides just hunting.
 
I think if you're eating them, the shotty is the way to go... 22 can really tear those guys up.
 
i grew up in AL using my dads double barrel 20ga, then saved up and got a 10/22 and never looked back.
squirrel hunting with a .22 is the only way to go IMO.
here in MT the little pine squirrels that we have aren't worth fooling with so it's grouse and snowshoe hare with the ol' 10/22...
 
Also, you need to consider what type of shots you will be taking most.

If you are taking a lot of tree shots, and skyline shots, especially if you are not way out in the boonies, the shotgun will be a much better option.

But with the shotgun, you loose a lot of distance.

Shoot, I have taken squirrels and chipmunks with a blow gun.

Tough choice.
 
+1 for the 10-22. The Ruger 10-22 is the way to go. If you cant hit a squirrel with a 10-22 you shouldn't be hunting (IMO).If its for sport you'll be much happier and its the best 22 for the money any day...
 
mbjannusch said:
+1 for the 10-22. The Ruger 10-22 is the way to go. If you cant hit a squirrel with a 10-22 you shouldn't be hunting (IMO).If its for sport you'll be much happier and its the best 22 for the money any day...
Click to expand...

Best. 22 for the money? Somebody get this man a Henry.
 
I get more squirrels with a shotgun. But then you have all the little shot in the meat. The 22 is a cleaner kill.
 
EMT_Lee said:
Best. 22 for the money? Somebody get this man a Henry.
Click to expand...

i can agree to this. i LOVE the 10/22 too.

i use a .22 that was made in the early 70's . its a Marlin semi auto (cant rmemeber model). works very well. my dad bought it new way back then.
 
I personally use a .22 for squirrels. Cheap and fun to shoot and you don't have to worry about chipping a tooth on the shot :)
 
I'm not much of a hunter, but, I built out a 10/22 this year with squirrel slaying in mind. We always hunted with shotguns as kids, but, I'm looking more for challenge now.
 
.22 is the way to go. I use a bolt action with a fixed 4 power rimfire scope. Almost always limit out. Standard velocity shells and heads shots. ITs lightweight, quiet, super accurate. No shot in the meat to chew thru is a bonus. Longer distance is a plus. Be careful and make sure you have the tree as a backdrop in case you miss. .22 travels a long way. I always use the side of a tree trunk for a rest. The guys I hunt with use full choke 12's and 20's with #5 shot. hate hunting with me because of the advantage I have
 
10/22 is great, but a tube fed lever .22 is the most versatile and plenty accurate. I haven't tried the Henry, but a Browning BL-22 is hard to beat, although they have gotten expensive.
 
If you decide to go the shotgun route and it's squirrels only, consider an H&R single shot .410. Even a 20 is a bit much for squirrels IMO.

Shooting .22's up into the trees can bring some risk, unless you have the discipline to pass on those shots that don't have a solid back-up. Some people can do it, some do it most of the time, others...
 
EMT_Lee said:
Best. 22 for the money? Somebody get this man a Henry.
Click to expand...

I have never seen/held a Henery but I love the barrel mag of the Ruger 10-22. I has tried several other 22 rifels and I cant stand the flimsy clip type mags the others use. AS for tube style, lever action, Bolt action No Thanks, I'm spoiled and love the Ruger. You can Trick these rifels out in more ways than I can count. Its like the Banchee ( quad ) of the weapon world. Not the greatest weapon made but as versitile as your imagination..And it just feels good.
 
Blue Sky said:
If you decide to go the shotgun route and it's squirrels only, consider an H&R single shot .410. Even a 20 is a bit much for squirrels IMO.

Shooting .22's up into the trees can bring some risk, unless you have the discipline to pass on those shots that don't have a solid back-up. Some people can do it, some do it most of the time, others...
Click to expand...

What he said. For the record, .410 has more than adequate killing power for squirrels. If you can get to 25 yards or less, then it works on rabbits, squirrels or even doves and quail. Because it is the smallest common shotgun gauge (bore, whatever), it has the least range, shot payload, and killing power-- it is either an expert's gun or a beginner's gun:

Beginners like it cause it doesn't kick much. But the patterns and shot aren't much to work with.

Experts like it because they are so good at hitting stuff, that they want something difficult to hunt with [to re-introduce a level of difficulty to make their hunt more sporting--that is "interesting".]

Bottom Line-- .410's are great for small mammals. BUT, if you want to successfully shoot birds on the wing, you are venturing into an extra difficult business (expert wingshot territory). I went this route as a teenager, and it was hard and discouraging. I did stick it out and suffer through it and was a better hunter for it. .410's are definately NOT suitable for late season birds that are skittish and flush at longish ranges --> it's just a recipe for frustration late season.


I say: if you want a shotgun for squirrels which you may want to also use on birds, just buy a 12 gauge and then shoot the lighter loads out of it, instead of a .410 bore.


Rifle hunting is an entirely different business than shotgun hunting.
Which do you like better?
Which do you shoot better?

I imagine that beginning hunters will tend to do better with a boltaction than a self loader. Deliberation and fire discipline and all that stuff.

Anyway, good luck with your persuit.
 
Last edited:
Mossberb 500e (.410) for shotguns.

CZ 452 trainer (28" barrel), CZ 452 American (more 'normal' length barrel), CZ Scout, almost any of the old tube-fed bolt action rifles - Western Field's, Marlin's, etc...

Henry lever action would be great too. If we're talking levers find a Marlin 39a.

Scopes - I'd get a 1.5 or 2 - 5 or 7. For close shots you don't want too much magnification but for those treetop shots from a braced position you might want to dial it up a little.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top